The back end systems upon which libraries rely have become the center of a great deal of study, reconsideration and development activity over the past few years.The integration of search functionality, social discovery tools, access control and even delivery mechanisms to traditional cataloging systems are necessitating a conversation about how these component parts will work together in a seamless fashion.There are a variety of approaches, from a fully-integrated system to a best-of-breed patchwork of systems, from locally managed to software as a service approaches.No single approach is right for all institutions and there is no panacea for all the challenges institutions face providing services to their constituents.However, there are many options an organization could choose from.Careful planning can help to find the right one and can save the institution tremendous amounts of time and effort. This program will provide some of the background on the key issues that management will need to assess to make the right decision.

Leeds Equity Partners is a private equity firm focused on investments in the education, training and information and business services industries (the “Knowledge Industries”). … We focus on investments across all of the Knowledge Industries, which includes education, training and information and business services. We broadly define these sectors to include businesses offering products, services and solutions that enable individuals and enterprises to be more effective in an increasingly global, hyper-competitive, information-intensive and fast-changing marketplace. … Since 1993, Leeds Equity has invested in more than 20 companies across all of the Knowledge Industries, representing a total enterprise value of more than $4.1 billion.

The announcement came quick on the heels of the announcement that Carl Grant would be re-joining Ex Libris as the President, North America. Carl is a long-time supporter of NISO and standards development, having spent time as Chair of the Standards Development Committee, as a member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer, and a term as Chair of the Board. Carl had been the President of CARE Affiliates, a service firm that provided support for open source systems implementors. CARE Affiliates was acquired by LibLime in August.